SMB

Backup

Dell EMC targets SMB and midmarket customers with DP 4400 Integrated Protection Appliance

July 11, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on Dell EMC targets SMB and midmarket customers with DP 4400 Integrated Protection Appliance
The IDPA series Dell EMC rolled out last year was aimed at the enterprise, but the DP4400 was specifically built for SMB and midmarket customers, and is being targeted there rather than at ROBO deployments of enterprises.

Managed Services

Parallels adds enterprise features to RAS 16.5 to appeal to growing MSP market

July 11, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on Parallels adds enterprise features to RAS 16.5 to appeal to growing MSP market
Some key changes involve Parallels responding to an opportunity created among Citrix and VMware customers by changes to their support and maintenance costs, as well as the End-of-Life of XenApp 6.5.

Channel Programs

Lenovo unveils channel transformation in response to partner feedback from Accelerate

July 9, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on Lenovo unveils channel transformation in response to partner feedback from Accelerate
The changes involve restructuring the deployment of Lenovo resources to better support partners, new rewards for alignment and new logos, and changes to improve slow pricing policies – although a big one won’t roll out until next year.

Data Centre

HPE unveils high-density SimpliVity HCI solution for space-constrained environments

July 6, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on HPE unveils high-density SimpliVity HCI solution for space-constrained environments
The HPE SimplVity 2600, which is the first SimpliVity that is entirely software-optimized, is being pitched at the VDI market to start, but the company thinks its flexibility will eventually take it beyond that.

Channel Programs

HCI vendor Scale Computing introduces MSP program within their Scale Partner Community

June 29, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on HCI vendor Scale Computing introduces MSP program within their Scale Partner Community
The new program is basically a change in the pricing structure that moves software costs into a subscription-based OpEx model, which Scale partners with an MSP practice can use to increase their profitability.

Managed Services

Continuum expands RMM differentiation and appeals to broader MSP base with CARVIR acquisition

June 18, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on Continuum expands RMM differentiation and appeals to broader MSP base with CARVIR acquisition
Late last year, Continuum decided to supplement the endpoint security embedded in their core suite with a new security unit, and new service offerings, which became available in April. The CARVIR acquisition accelerates that initiative significantly.

Channel Communities

Tech Data looks to drive innovation thought leadership with Milton Education Village Innovation Centre partnership

June 8, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on Tech Data looks to drive innovation thought leadership with Milton Education Village Innovation Centre partnership
This third-party partnership will leverage Tech Data manufacturing and solution provider partners, as well as their internal resources, to collaborate with the MEV around digital transformation initiatives, especially for SMBs.

Security

Barracuda unveils PhishLine offering for mid-size organizations

June 5, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on Barracuda unveils PhishLine offering for mid-size organizations
Barracuda has released a version of the PhishLine social engineering simulation offering they acquired early this year that is targeted at the 1000 seat market and under, with the big difference from the enterprise version coming from the removal of industry-specific customization options.

Cloud

BetterCloud stepping up channel push around multi-vendor SaaS management platform

April 20, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on BetterCloud stepping up channel push around multi-vendor SaaS management platform
BetterCloud just closed a new funding round, with part of the money being used to allow them to ‘step on the gas’ and speed up their channel momentum.

Channel Programs

Netsurion integrates EventTracker channel program with their own in partner expansion push

April 18, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on Netsurion integrates EventTracker channel program with their own in partner expansion push
Netsurion is looking to an integrated solution set of SD-WAN with SIEM and firewall security to significantly expand their TAM into new verticals, and is seeking to significantly expand their partner base to strengthen them in these new markets.